Rebuilders
Author: Andrew Comiskey
January 22, 2024
‘Is
it a time for you to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains
in ruins? Go…and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be
honored’ (Haggai 1:4, 8).
Building
the house requires workers. In our goal to create a house suitable for the
sexual integration of its members, we need a team, an army, a village of
workers! Broken ones need boundaries, a compassionate ‘wall’ of witnesses who
surround them and mediate grace with faces, spirited flesh that speaks a better
Word.
These
are ground soldiers who fight for fellows losing hope in mercy and vision of the
good gifts they want to be for others.
Yet
workers too grow weary. ‘The strength of the laborers gave out’ (Neh. 4:10);
the prophet knew well how rebuilding boundaries takes a toll. But God gives
strength by re-envisioning us, just when we need it most.
Last
week on a freezing dark morning in Paris, I turned a corner while running and ran
smack dab into Notre Dame, France’s icon for the faithful. She cheered me on,
the Church ‘struck down but not destroyed,’ her original dignity intact and
manifesting again through many rebuilders.
I was
in Paris to cheer and guide the French national Living Waters team (Torrents de
Vie) which was transitioning rebuilders. Five years ago, my best international
friends Werner and Charlotte passed the baton to Claude and Monique—an ace
couple—and we had issues to work out together. Gentle disclosure of misunderstandings
cleared the way for other leaders to look ahead with us to the hard.
French
media and politics have converged against Torrents de Vie to block ‘rebuilding’
efforts. Councils and magistrates contest them; yellow journalists disguised as
‘seekers’ have mocked them relentlessly. These rebuilders grow weary of insisting
on freedom of choice for Christians seeking chastity in their sexual identities.
A new Pharisaism prevails in France that demands the government’s way for
sexual identity or no way at all. So much for ‘liberte, egalite, and fraternite.’
I am
reminded of Nehemiah’s workers who had to fight to rebuild—staving off foes while
staying faithful to the task of restoration. In one hand, the workers brandish swords;
in the other, they wield healing tools that clean and bind up breaks (Neh.
4:17). The French have fought this fight better than anyone else. They do so to
stay true to Jesus and His call to create safe, clean houses in France.
They
have my deepest respect. I am privileged to serve them. Mirrored in their
changes are mine. At 66-years-old, I can still pound the old streets but feel
the stones more acutely under my Nikes. I work harder to surrender the stress
of prophetic insistence and pastoral service. I sleep less, pray more. Fear knocks
louder as the Day draws closer.
No
complaints. As Notre Dame emerges from the fire, so shall we. We do our part.
And I am set at ease by rebuilders Marco and Abbey and Katie who wield tools of
rebuilding—weapons of grace and truth to rebuild the house. France and her
leadership transition reminds me: I am only one rebuilder, one runner in a very long relay.
‘Don’t
be afraid. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your
brothers, your daughters and sons, your wives and your homes’ (Neh. 4:14).
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